Starting block



Feb. 12, 1935. E. F. NIDAY STARTING BLOCK Filed Jan. 15, 1934 ATTORNEY.

Patented Feb. 12, 1935 UNITEB STATES STARTING BLOCK 7 Everett F. Niday, Altadena, Califl,

Application January 15, 1934, Serial No. 706,686

'7 Claims. (01.. 272-59) provide a runners starting block which is constructed' of metal and wherein the parts can be assembled, adjusted and disassembled without the use of implements of any kind.

A further object is to provide a starting block including afoot plate wherein novel means is provided for positively holding the foot plate in the desired angular position.

Another object is to provide a starting block including a body, a foot plate and a brace which folds to a flat position when collapsed.

Other objects of my invention will be apparent.

from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a starting block embodying the features of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a section taken online 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view similar'to Fig. 2 showing the parts in another position; b

Fig. 4 isa section taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a section taken on line 55 of Fig. 2; and,

Fig. 6 is a sectional detail showing a modifica tion.

Referring to the drawing by reference characters I have indicated my starting block generally at 10. As shown the starting block comprises a body indicated generally at 11, a toe plate indicated at 12 and a brace member indicated generally at 13.

The body 11 includes a pair of side members 14 which are held in parallel spaced apart relation by end members 15. At the junction of the sides and ends I provide downwardly projecting spike members 16 which are adapted to be pushed into the ground to hold the starting block against movement.

The opposed inner faces of the side members 14 are provided with inwardly directed longitudinally extending grooves 17. Adjacent the front 0 of the sides, the grooves 17 intersect downwardly directed grooves 18 which extend to the bottom of the sides. At the rear of the grooves 18 I provide pairs of aligned grooves 19 which are arranged in spaced relation. These grooves 19 terminate short of the bottom of the sides so that their lower ends are closed. A pair of aligned inwardly directed bosses 20 are arranged at the rear of the grooves 19. At the rear end the sides 14 are provided with opposed slots 21 which have enlarged inner portions 22.

The brace member 13 comprises a pair ofspaced side members 23 and a pair of end members 251 and 25. The end member 25 is providedwith trunnions 26 which fit in the grooves 2 1. The trunnions 26 have'parallel sides. sothatwhen the brace isheld in the position shown in Fig. 4 the trunnions may be 'movedto' the, b ttoms ofthe respective slots, thus allowing pivotal movement of the brace member 13. "The endmember 2A includes a pair of end trunnions27which fit in slots 28 which are arranged in lugs 29 in the toe plate 12.

The toe plate 12 comprises an arcuate body portion 30 the-upper surface of which may be suitably roughened, The toe plate also includes: an apron'31 which is integral withthe body. Ribs 32 connect the ends of the apron withthe, body 30. The length of the apron 31 may be varied and the angular relation of the apron 31 to the body 30 may be variedto suit the requirements of the user.

The starting blocks are used in pairs and most. runners prefer one angular relation between the apron 31 and the body 30 for one foot and a. different angular relation between the apron 31 and the body 30 for the other foot.

In order that the inclination of the body- 30 .may be varied relative to the horizontal, the

body 30 is provided with a trunnion 33 at each side thereof and near the apron 31. These trunnions 33 slide in the grooves 1'7 and may be positioned when in use by a runner in either the front or the rear pair of grooves 19. In collapsed position the trunnions 33 are moved forwardly so that they pass downwardly through the slots 18 to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 2, where the apron 31 engages the front cross member 15 to prevent further downward movement of the toe plate 12.

When the parts are collapsed so that the apron 31 engages the front cross member 15 the side members 23 of the brace 13 engage the top of the bosses 20 to prevent further downward movement of the brace 23.

To disassemble the device the trunnions 23 are moved rearwardly to the position shown in Fig. 3. The end trunnions 27 can be moved out of the slots 28 thus freeing the brace from the toe plate. The brace is then moved to the position shown in Fig. 4 where its trunnions 26 can be moved from the slots 21 to separate the brace member from the body 10. The toe plate may then be moved forward until the trunnions 33 thereon pass downwardly through the grooves 18 to free the toe plate from the body.

In assembling the device a reversible operation to that just described is performed.

In Fig. 6 I-show a modification of the inven tion wherein the side member 14 has a cross member 15 thereon which is provided with a threaded recess in which a short spike 35 may be removably inserted. The spikes 35 are employed when the starting device is used for indoor running. The upper surface of the sides 14 preferably have a scale 36 thereon to aid in placing the starting blocks.

In Fig. 7 I show a modification wherein the trunnions 37 are located beneath the forward end of the apron 38 of the toe plate 39; I have found this arrangement preferable in some instances.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that I have invented a novel form of. starting block which is highly efficient in use and economically manufactured; i

Having thus described my invention, I claim: 1. In a starting block, a body, a foot plate having one end slidably mounted on said body and to support the other end of end of the foot plateto the other end of the brace.

4. In a starting block, a body having sides, said 7 sides having opposed grooves therein, a foot plate including a body adapted to be engaged by the sole of the shoe of the user, said plate having laterally projecting trunnions thereon at one end fitting slidably in said grooves, said grooves having aligned spaced closed slots communicating therewith, said trunnions being adapted to be adjustably mounted in said slots, and means to support the other end of said foot plate,

which can be 1,990,497 s v 5. In a starting block, a body having sides,said

sides having opposed grooves therein, a brace pivotally mounted at one end of said body, a foot plate, said foot plate at one end having coupling means thereon, said brace at the other end having coupling means thereon releasably engaging the coupling means of said foot plate, said foot plate including a body adapted to be engaged by the sole of the shoe of the user, said foot plate having laterally projecting trunnions-thereon fitting slidably in said grooves, said groove having spaced closed slots communicating therewith,

said trunnions being adapted to be adjustably mounted in said slots.

6. In a starting block, a rectangular body having parallel sides, said sides having opposed grooves therein, a brace pivotally mounted at one endof said body, a foot plate, said foot plate at 7 one endhaving trunnions thereon fitting said grooves, said brace at the other end having pivot means thereon engaging the foot plate, said foot plate including a body adapted to be engagedby the sole of the shoe of the user and having an apron at the lower end adapted to be engaged by the toe of the user, said grooves having aligned spaced closed slots communicating therewith, said trunnions being adapted to be adjustably mounted in said slots and said sides having other slots and having inwardly directed lugs thereon; '7. In a starting block, a body having means thereon adapted to engage the surface of a run-- ning track, said body including longitudinally extending spaced side members and end members, a foot plate, said foot plate having trunnions projecting from the opposite sides thereof, one end said side members and pivoted to the side mem' bers, and means on the other end of the brace member releasably engaging the other end of the foot plate to hold the foot plate 'in'elevated position. w

' EVERETT F.-N]DAY. 

